Hi Tom,
This is indeed a dagger made post 1945, and like Jim mentions, was aquired by the SAAF during the late 60`s to around the 80`s. These daggers replaced the conventional Wilkinson made sword that the South African armed forces were using up till then. As far as I can determine, they did not procure any more after that date.
However, to answer Jim`s statement about the serial numbers, I`ve handled and seen around 40 of these daggers, and not all, have serial numbers. The Eickhorn marked ones that I`ve seen, do have to a certain degree, but NOT all!
The non maker marked ones, of which I`ve sold several, do not.
The WKC one pictured, does have a serial number on the reverse tang.
I`m in the process now, of finding out how many were procured altogether, including the indvidual numbers between the different makers. I`m also trying to acertain which makers supplied the SAAF with daggers?
I`ve studied several daggers, as I already mentioned, and have noticed alot of differences between them, to include hilt fittings, scabbard materials and grip assemblies. So, if anybody has any questions, please feel free to ask
Cheers,
Dion
